Nature access to be discussed at UW-River Falls event

Partnership between UWRF, Kinnickinnic River Land Trust seeks to boost opportunities

Oct. 4, 2023 - The ability of natural surroundings to boost human health is gaining increased attention, and two upcoming events co-sponsored by the University of Wisconsin-River Falls Sustainability Office will focus on nature’s health benefits and the fact that some groups have more access to the outdoors than others. 

The Sustainability Office has partnered with the Kinnickinnic River Land Trust (KRLT) to sponsor events intended to prompt discussion about ties between nature and health, how health equity is not equal, and how that access can be improved.  

UW-River Falls will host “Outdoors for All! A Community Conversation About Nature, Health and Equity” from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. on Wednesday, Oct. 18, in the Riverview Ballroom in the University Center, 501 Wild Rose Ave., and online. The event is free, but registration is required. 

A two-day workshop, “All People: Creating and Managing Universally Accessible Trails Workshop,” is Oct. 19-20 at the St. Croix Valley Business and Innovation Center, 1091 Sutherland Ave., River Falls. The cost is $50 per person and is not available online. Attendees will participate in a process to design and construct pedestrian trails that are usable by everyone. 

Registration for both events is atwww.kinniriver.org/outdoors-for-all/ or by calling KRLT at 715-425-5738. Registration for both events closes Oct. 12. 

KRLT, the UWRF Sustainability Office, and Sustainability Faculty Fellows agreed during the summer to work collaboratively to host the events. Mark Klapatch-Mathias, Sustainability Office coordinator, said topics discussed at those events are an example of sustainability’s important impact on communities.

Health benefits for humans by engaging with the natural world are well documented. However, many populations lack access to nature because of socioeconomics barriers, disabilities, age, race, and a wide variety of safety concerns.

“These events are pivotal in understanding the barriers that exist to experience nature for any and all stakeholders,” Klapatch-Mathias said. “The process of learning these barriers and identifying solutions will result in tangible solutions for our community and could serve as a model for other communities striving for equitable access to nature.” 

Last year KRLT proposed building an accessible trail at Kelly Creek Preserve north of River Falls. However, the organization decided to delay that project while it reached out to marginalized groups to better understand barriers those groups face in accessing natural areas like the trail. 

“KRLT wants to listen over the next several months to hear interests and needs and then design trails and outdoors experiences to make sure green spaces can be accessible by all,” said Steve Leonard, KRLT executive director. “Our goal is to understand where those outdoor spaces are in the St. Croix Watershed for marginalized communities and help promote them. Plus, learn what has worked and what needs improvement.” 

Feedback taken at the two events will help in future trails and natural spaces, making them more accessible to people who may not be able to use them otherwise, Leonard said. He said he hopes those events are just the beginning of a series of listening sessions across the St. Croix region and Twin Cities metro at which people offer input so that future natural areas can be used by everyone. 

“The more people we get involved, the more creative our solutions to accessing green spaces so everyone can build a personal connection with nature will be,” Leonard said. 

For more information, email Klapatch-Mathias at mark.klapatch@uwrf.edu or email Leonard at steve@kinniriver.org.

Photo: UW-River Falls first-year student Hollis Davis from River Falls picks coneflower seeds Tuesday as part of an activity organized by the university’s Sustainability Office. UWRF is co-sponsoring two upcoming events at which access to natural areas will be discussed. UWRF photo.